The “Test&Treat” project is coming to an end, with a closing event in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, attended by Professor Anton Pozniak, one of the world’s leading experts on HIV, Marco Lombardi, Italian Ambassador to Tanzania, and representatives of international and local agencies. Important results have been achieved: 6 HUBs have been supported, 338,204 people have been tested for HIV, 7,741 patients are currently on antiretroviral treatment, of whom 3,929 have been treated since the start of the project, thanks also to the 76 CLUBs created, community groups of HIV-positive patients that facilitate adherence to treatment and peer support. To date, 1,469 patients are members of the CLUBs. The project was funded by the Gilead Fundation, started in 2016, over 5 years, involved the northern regions of Shinyanga and Simiyu. The main aim of “Test&Treat” is to reduce transmission and improve the quality of life of HIV-positive people while promoting better access to treatment.
“I lived with Hiv for 11 years and initially felt discriminated against by my community. In 2019, I went to Ngkolo Health Centre, where I was given information about CLUBs. Since then things have changed – says Edita, a member of one of the CLUBs. – Being a member of the CLUB has helped me to improve my condition while taking care of my family. Before, it cost me much more time to go to the hospital to receive treatment”.
A strategy implemented by hospitals and community health centres (HUBs) to facilitate continuity of care. The closing event was a great opportunity to share the progress we have made together in the field to tackle and stop the HIV epidemic: a great challenge but an achievable goal.
